Julio Frenk, currently the president of the University of Miami, has been named as the next chancellor of the University of California, Los Angeles.

Professor Frenk, who will be UCLA¡¯s first Latino leader, is a global health expert who served as Mexico¡¯s health secretary from 2002 to 2006 and led Harvard University¡¯s T.H. Chan School of Public Health from 2009 to 2015, when he took on the Miami presidency.

He will take?up the UCLA post in January 2025, succeeding Gene Block, who has led the institution since 2007. Professor Block will step down in July and will take up a post on UCLA¡¯s faculty.

¡°Dr Frenk has demonstrated a powerful commitment to the health and well-being of people, institutions and systems around the world,¡± said Michael Drake, president of the University of California system. ¡°His leadership will build on the growth and strength the campus has achieved under chancellor Block and accelerate UCLA¡¯s brilliant trajectory in service to Los Angeles, the nation and the world.¡±

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Professor Frenk said: ¡°At this crucial moment for higher education, returning to the public sector to lead one of the top research universities in the world?¨C including one of the 10 largest academic health systems ¨C is an exciting opportunity and a great honour for me. I look forward to adding my lifelong commitment to public service in education and healthcare to the vibrant, diverse and cosmopolitan community that is Los Angeles.¡±

Darnell Hunt, UCLA¡¯s executive vice-chancellor and provost, will lead the institution as interim chancellor between Professor Block¡¯s departure and Professor Frenk¡¯s arrival.

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The University of Miami announced that Professor Frenk had begun a sabbatical to prepare for his move to UCLA, with chief executive Joe Echevarria to serve as acting president.

chris.havergal@timeshighereducation.com